The Washington critic., 1887-06-08
WASHINGTON, JUNE $, 1887.
TO THE DISTRICT COMMISSIONERS
AND OTHERS.

THE CRIT1c entertains some original
and independent notions with regard
to the government of the District of
Columbia which differ radically from
the views of some of the local powers
1hat be" and others,
AS there seems TO be at present on
The part of the District Commissioners
an infatuation to revive some ancient
ordinances of the long since defunct
city councils of Washington with which
10 poster and harass the citizens Of the
redeemed and regenerated and pro-
rressivo Capital of the Nation, THE
CRITIC herewith submits. in brief, Its
views for the consideration of all who
will carefully read, thoroughly ponder
and mentally digest,
THE CRITIo lays down the following
propositions
l.. That Congress exercises exclusive legis-
lation In all cases whatsoever over the terri.
Tory set apart as the So Il ot the Government
of the United sthtosl T., the District OF
Columbia.
Article 1, see. :, p Il. Consiitution.l
u. lNht inc DlsItlCt OF Columbia Is u Cef-
tain extent of territory set apart as the sea,
OF the Government of the United States for It's
uses and purposes rs Its National Capital, and
over which Congress alone can exercise legs.
lative authority; and which authority Is as
absolute MS 1t Is over the domain used for
forts, arsenals and dock-yards.
[Same reference us above,l
III, That the authority of Congress TO exer
else efciHsiCd legislation IN all cases phd,sOeCer
over the seat of the National Government
the District of Columbia-is derived from the
Constitution Of the United States, the organic
act which created all Of the powers Of Con
gfess and of the Nation.
~. That Congress, In the exercise of its
legislative authority over the seat OF the
Government of the United States, acts as the
trustee of the entire Nation and cannot
change the conditions of Its trust as created
by. and embodied in, the Constitution.
v. That Congress cannot legally delegate
its legislative authority $50 created by the
Constitution over the territory set apart as
the seat of Government OF the United States
to any other legislative body or bodies.
From these self.evident propositions
THE CRITIC draws the following
logical, and, to Its mind, conclusive
deductions:
That all ordinances of the late
City Councils of Washington and of
Georgetown and of the Levy Court Of
the county and of the Territorial Legis.
lature of the District, enacted as legis
lation for the seat of the Government
of the United States under pretcnse of
legislative authority delegated by Con-
gress, are absolutely void, except
wherein such legislative enactments
have been approved by Congress, and
thus become the legislation of Con-
gress itself.
That, because Congress has from
time to time delegated its trust over
the seat of the National Government to
local Legislative bodies of the District,
does not involdate our deductions; for
THE CRITIC claims that each and every
act of Congress so deleyating its Guelu'
sire legislative authority to local legis.
lative bodies was clearly unconstitu-
tional, and therefore all legislative en-
actments by such local tribunals were
of no legal force or effect, except, as
heretofore stated, when they have been
re-enacted by Congress and become laws
of the United States.